Queen of Angels: The Fallen Book Two

Chapter Twenty Two

There is nothing more satisfying than a steaming hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Especially when there's no longer a sense of dread in the air about what's coming next. I walk around the kitchen island, touching every piece of the marble benchtops. The cool surface sends a tingle up my fingers. I keep taking glances out the back window and seeing Seth and Kane both in the pool enjoying each other's company. I don't know if it's still painful for Kane to be out there with someone with him, but either way I'm really happy for them. I sense Nolan and Oliver come into the room and stand behind me, gawking over my shoulder. I think they're just as confused by the sight they see before them. However, I know they're not the only ones within earshot. Hendrik has been lurking around the dining room and kitchen all morning. And I happened to see a reflection of Pax in the threshold. This morning when I woke up, I saw him stare at Hendrik and blush a little before turning and walking away.

"What am I looking at right now?" Nolan questions.

I giggle at his response. "You're looking at Seth and Kane having a really nice time in the pool." Thankfully, after yesterday's storm, it seemed that the hot weather came back with a vengeance. Otherwise, their outdoor adventure wouldn't look so peaceful.

"They're acting rather close." I look at him and blink a few times. Any minute now, I'm sure the penny is going to drop. He keeps staring at me and shrugs his shoulders, wondering what I'm doing.

"Are you serious?"

Oliver scoffs. "They're together, you idiot."

"Oh." Finally, the penny dropped for him. "Good for them."

"It is good." I say. "Now, if only I can get Pax or Hendrik to explain their crushes on each other, I wouldn't have to feel like the awkward insider." I turn around and exit the room, seeing packs standing red faced in the threshold. "Yeah, I knew you were there." I laugh. He brushes a hand through his hair, trying to contemplate what to say next. "I'm sorry, Paxton, did I disturb your train of thought?"

"Yes, thanks for that."

"You're welcome. Did you want some coffee?"

"No, thank you. Actually I came to ask if anyone wanted to join me this afternoon."

"To do what?" Seth's voice says as I turn to see him, and Kane come in through the back door which is adjacent to the kitchen.

"My pack is having a celebration this afternoon. It's kind of one of those celebrations where you bring as many people as you can."

"Isn't your pack all the way up in Salem?" I confirm.

"It is, but like Theo, Ivy also gave me one of those ticker watches. If I set it to a couple of hours, anyone that's holding on to me will come with me to whatever location I set it to. We zip straight back after the timer runs out."

"That is so cool. I'm in." I say without a moment of hesitation.

"I'll come." Oliver simply states.

"Me too!" Seth bounces up and down. He then turns anxiously to Kane.

"Oh no." He speaks. "I prefer to avoid parties where I can." That's expected.

"Would it be okay if I came?" Hendrik finally comes out from around the corner from his cat form. It's still pretty hilarious that Pax hasn't connected the fact that there is a cat that smells like Hendrik that isn't around when Hendrik is.

"Of course." Paxton smiles.

"So, what's the celebration for?"

"Well, as you saw a few days ago, Ivy was pregnant. She gave birth yesterday. Apparently she's already up and good to go, so now the entire pack wants to gather and have a party about it."